Does My Child have IBD?
Symptoms of IBD can appear at any age. The two most common forms of IBD--Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease--share many common symptoms. If your child is showing symptoms of IBD, contact your pediatrician for an examination.
Pediatric IBD symptoms include:
- Diarrhea, sometimes with blood and mucus
- Stomach aches
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Unexplained fever and tiredness
- Delayed growth or maturation (Crohn’s disease only)
Diagnosing Pediatric IBD:
If your physician suspects your child has pediatric IBD, he or she will likely run several diagnostic tests, including:
- Blood tests
- Stomach aches
- X-rays and CT scans
- Endoscopy or biopsies: colon (for ulcerative colitis) or the upper and lower intestines (for Crohn’s disease)
Also, since genetics can play a role in IBD, your physician may inquire about your family’s medical history.
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